L’Oréal Releases Sun Exposure Monitor Through Apple

L’Oréal, the big skin care company, has just released a tiny device for monitoring skin’s exposure to the sun. Offered through Apple’s online shop and at some of its physical stores, the La Roche-Posay My Skin Track UV device doesn’t use any batteries while being able to upload its readings to a paired smartphone.

The energy of the sun is used to store the data within the device, while near-field communication (NFC) is used to download the readings to the smartphone. Downloads are activated by simply tapping the device against the paired smartphone and the user can then use the app to review how much time was spent exposed to dangerous UV light. In addition to this personalized data, the app includes pollen, humidity, and pollution levels that it gathers from online sources.

“Our research has long indicated the need for better consumer understanding of personal UV exposure,” in a statement said Guive Balooch, Global Vice President and Head of L’Oréal’s Technology Incubator. “We created this battery-free sensor to seamlessly integrate into the lives, and daily routines, of those using it. We hope the launch of this problem-solving technology makes it easier for people to make smart, sun-safe choices.”

The device is only 12 mm X 6 mm, is waterproof, and has a clip so that it can be attached to hats, shirts, and bracelets.